YenzoWhat is E300 (ascorbic acid)?
It is ascorbic acid (L-), that is vitamin C. Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT lists E300 as an antioxidant, acidity regulator, flour treatment agent and sequestrant.
E300Ascorbic acid
E300 is ascorbic acid (L-), that is vitamin C. In food it is mainly an antioxidant that helps keep colour and flavour; it also controls acidity and treats flour.
- Code
- E300 · INS 300
- ADI
- ADI “not specified” (EFSA 2015) This means no numerical ADI is needed: by JECFA’s definition of the term, at the levels needed in food the substance does not represent a hazard to health. Vietnam’s Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT calls this an ADI “không xác định” (“not specified”, Article 3(6)).
In Vietnam✓ PermittedOn the list of permitted additives — Circular 24/2019, Appendix 1
Risk level on the Yenzo Scalevery low?Based on EFSA's scientific assessment, 2015
How E300 appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, antioxidant (300), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
antioxidant (300)antioxidant 300E300INS 300axit ascorbicacid ascorbicascorbic acidOn Vietnamese labels: Acid ascorbic (L-)
Ascorbic acid in food
Milk, cheese, cream
Processed vegetables
Flour
Noodles, pasta, cerealsProcessed meatFish and seafood, cannedInfant formula, foods for young children
Juices, fruit nectars
Coffee, tea, herbal drinksQuestions about ascorbic acid
Is ascorbic acid harmful?
In 2015 EFSA re-evaluated ascorbic acid (E300), sodium ascorbate (E301) and calcium ascorbate (E302) and concluded that their use as food additives at the reported uses and use levels raises no safety concern, so no numerical ADI is needed.
Is vitamin C permitted in Vietnam?
Yes. Ascorbic acid, L- (INS 300) is listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the list of additives permitted in food, as an antioxidant, acidity regulator, flour treatment agent and sequestrant.
Can children and pregnant women have E300?
Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT permits ascorbic acid in follow-on formula for children aged 6–36 months at a maximum of 50 mg/kg (ready-to-eat products only, only as an antioxidant, alone or combined with INS 300, 301, 302 and 304), and in complementary foods for children up to 36 months at a maximum of 500 mg/kg (only as an antioxidant). The text does not mention pregnant women separately.
Other antioxidants
E301Sodium ascorbatevery lowE302Calcium ascorbatevery lowE304Fatty acid esters of ascorbic acidvery lowE306Tocopherol-rich extractvery lowE307Alpha-tocopherolvery lowE308Gamma-tocopherolvery low
See all antioxidants →Found in these products
Trà Fuze Tea chanh dây hạt chia (passion fruit & chia seed)Fuze Tea · coffee and tea drinks
Xúc xích tỏi GO! (garlic sausage)GO! · sausages and processed meat
Đậu Hà Lan JOJO vị bò nướng cay (spicy grilled beef green peas)JoJo · snacks
Nước mắm pha sẵn Longdan tỏi ớt (instant fish sauce with garlic & chilli)Longdan · sauces and dips
Nước vải Yeo's (lychee drink)Yeo's · soft drinks and flavoured drinksThịt xông khói hỗn hợp GO! (mixed smoked bacon)GO! · sausages and processed meatUpdated 21 October 2026